Friday, November 29, 2013

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with food, family, friends, and fireballs. Just kidding, I didn't have any fireballs, I just wanted to think of an alcoholic beverage that also started with the letter 'F'. However, if I were to pick an alcoholic beverage that started with the letter 'W', then I think it wouldn't come as a surprise that I drank that in litres. Anyway, I think today I am going to give this ol' liver of mine a break and just consume water instead. (Fast forward to 5pm when I completely forgot I said this and have a glass of wine in hand again.)

I had every hope of waking up early to hit the Black Friday sales, but then sleeping in until 10:30 just seemed like the more logical thing to do. However, I have decided to throw my gym shoes on and walk 2.5 miles to Union Square and check out Victoria's Secret's stash. THEN, I think I will walk myself right over to In-N-Out, because all I wanted last night was just that and lo and behold, they were closed. Go figure.

Oh, also, the night before Turkey Day, some friends and I went to The Mint Karaoke Bar in The Castro, and well, you know me, I love karaoke almost as much as I love gambling. And that's saying a lot. So when Serena agreed to sing Don't Stop Believin' with me, well, it basically made my night.

As you can see, we take our karaoke very seriously.

Happy day after Thanksgiving, friends!
I'm off to get my walk and shop on!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

To be honest with you, I have only been on that site about 2 times. I never even knew it existed and I don't quite see the point in its toxicity, but today, someone mentioned a forum about me, so I suppose curiosity got the better of me...

And what do you know, complete strangers figuring out my life story!

I didn't, Mischa Barton, but I do now!

(And now, a few SPOT ON excerpts from today's GOMI postings...)

///

"I just realized she's 27. For some reason, I thought she and "the Dizzle" were like 22-24ish. They certainly act like it. "

"This chick's sense of entitlement is ridiculous."

"I can't believe it's been 4 weeks already. WTF has she been doing? How is "The Dizzle" supporting their San Fran lifestyle?"

"They have no kids, they aren't married, they have a small studio apartment and she's just sitting around twiddling her thumbs. The Dizzle MUST make bank because even a studio apartment in San Fran costs a lot of money. Here I am struggling to eat/feed my family, having to work full time at a job I hate that pays me barely minimum wage and she's sitting her daydreaming."

"I'm really confused about their money situation. Personal trainers get paid decently, but not enough to maintain a lifestyle like that for two people. He must be getting alot from whatever "internet marketing" he does. But still…doesn't add up to me. They wrapped up their trip early because they ran out of money, she even mentioned how much money was left in the bank (I can't remember the exact amount, but it wasn't a whole lot). I don't feel like she earns much from blogging. She doesn't even do many sponsored posts. So they move to San Francisco…where even their tiny studio is more expensive than my 2bd apartment (I live an hour from SF). They immediately filled it with all the "necessities"…I remember because I was jealous that they bought a Keurig and I've been wanting one so bad hahah. They were going out to eat and doing things alot, even before they got jobs again. And recently they bought that new car? I want to know how they do it, because I have three jobs and can't afford nearly that much :p"

"Somehow I don't think they've got much in savings. They'd probably have to go running to her dad if they had any kind of emergency that required a big chunk of money. And I doubt they have any kind of retirement fund(s) or investments."

"Ugh, I hope her claim gets denied. Unemployment benefits are for people who are genuinely unemployed by no fault of their own (laid off, etc.) and are actively trying to find a new job. They aren't for some lazy entitled princess lounging about her in studio apartment who needs some "time to figure things out"."

"The "Dizzle" is a lucky man. He gets to see her true colors before he makes the mistake of proposing to her."///

SO. To recap: I'm an immature, jobless, lazy, self-entitled Princess that has a baller boyfriend and a rich Daddy. I don't have any savings or retirement plans and I shouldn't be allowed to get Unemployment benefits. Oh, and The Dizzle better run for his life before thinking about marrying me!

Did I catch all that?

Sheesh, what a nightmare this Mish character is, huh? It's a good thing you guys got together to discuss just how horrible she is! She SHOULD get off YOUR internets! Good thing blogs exist so we can know every little detail about someone's life and see how horrid they are!

Oh, and Verner? You better run for the hills now... This Princess has a lot of thumb-twiddling to do and unemployment benefits to blow on advancing in her Candy Crush levels!

Monday, November 25, 2013

I just got off the phone with what I can only imagine was a very annoyed and very sassy woman from the South who doesn't very much like her job of having to call recently unemployed patrons and listen to their story of what stupid thing they did to get themselves fired.

The last thing Virgin America handed me, after confiscating my freshly printed company ID badge, was an unemployment pamphlet and a "have a nice day." So I decided to give it a try and file for unemployment to see if I was eligible. I mean, hey, why the hell not?

Today's phone interview was the last step in the process to being approved. It went a little something like this:

Unemployment Agent: "Now ma'am, tell me what exactly happened that caused you to be terminated?"

Me (strangely overcome with nerves and anxiousness): "Well uh, I ummm....I didn't bring extra batteries to class, which were a required item to have when on duty as a flight attendant."

Unemployment Agent: "Well, ma'am, why didn't you bring extra batteries? I mean, if they were required, shouldn't you know that you need to bring them to training?"

Me: "Well, I mean, yes. But, see, I had the flashlight with batteries, but I just didn't have extra batteries and uh, I thought we just needed them for when we were actually on duty. So....yeah."

Unemployment Agent:

Me:

Okay, not those last two, but I mean, it basically could have been.

Anyway. She told me they now have to contact Virgin America to verify everything and then a decision will be made on if I'm eligible or not. I'm crossing my fingers here. I mean, I think I'm eligible? But the way she sounded, so skeptical like, seriously made me question it. So we'll see. Some extra income would be welcomed right about now and ease the stress in the finance department and allow me some more time to figure some things out. I guess I'll just hope for the best and prepare for the worst? Is that how the saying goes?

Stay tuned.

I'm off to the kitchen to make some chicken curry, in case you wanted to know.

Friday, November 22, 2013

I haven't solidified a photography class just yet, but I have managed to whip my camera out a little more than usual. Last night, for example, was in the car on our way home. I started snapping away around the neighborhood while The Dizzle drove. I'm not gonna lie...I think this could be the start to a new trend.

It's called, wait for it..... "Drive-by shooting."

It's simple really. You just have someone drive you around and you start clicking away! As many as you can at every turn! Then, when you get home, you filter through your 100+ blurry photos and find maybe two, three tops that turned out... not so blurry and semi-okay. The surprise factor and anticipation for an interesting photo make it all worthwhile, in my opinion.

Okay, fine. Maybe I should still look into that photography class. Perhaps dark and blurry photos won't take off as a new trend?

Anywhooo, on to my next topic for this lovely Friday before I finally haul myself out of bed to get a start on my day. A few lovely ladies and I teamed up so that one of you can win $250 CASH for the holidays to spend any way you please. Easy entry right: Here.

I hope you all have a grand weekend, friends. Do me a favor and stop by Keenyn's blog and leave her some love! But first, a little 'hello' from Keenyn, herself. :)

Why, hello friends! My name is Keenyn and I blog over at Keensider. My site is filled with a ton of random thoughts, funny adventures and the challenges of being a twenty-something in todays world. If I can put a smile on even one persons face, then that's what it's all about for me!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

I was just dreaming that I was back training with Virgin America. They were giving me one last chance to pass training and be a flight attendant with them. We were all in a big room, about to start our final exam. I was upset though because I had been gone for a few weeks and wasn't able to learn any of the study material, so I was trying to explain to the instructor that there was no way I would pass when I wasn't able to study beforehand. And the instructor just stared at me with a look of disgust and said, "You just looooveee to complain, don't you?" I was flustered and trying to explain myself without looking defensive, but I couldn't get the words out and instead just looked like an idiot. A frustrated idiot.
Then I woke up.

Last night, The Dizzle asked me how I was feeling about the whole situation now that it's been 4 weeks. He then cautiously asked, in the most gentle way ever, "Do you have a plan in mind?"

Well, yes? No? Maybe? Tentatively.

I told myself that I just want to get through the rest of the year without having to stress or make definite plans. I want to get through the holidays and relax a little. I've always been one to have a plan, to know what my next steps were. But right now, I just want to not have to plan and stress and think so hard. Am I brainstorming a few things? Sure. Am I putting my feelers out for a few possibilities? Sometimes. So it's not like I'm just laying in bed all day (though, there can be large portions of my day when that does happens), doing nothing. I am getting out with friends, I am getting to the gym, I am cooking dinner and cleaning this little box of ours, I am blogging, and reading, and yeah, okay, sometimes an hour goes by that I'm playing Candy Crush, but I'm not moping anymore. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I am just....embracing my current life situation that happens to not be all that busy.

Do I have a set in stone plan yet? No. Not yet. But I want to feel like that's okay for now. Sometimes when I get the text messages or questions of, "So, what's your plan?" I want to yell, "I don't know yet!" I know it's always seemed like I've had it together before, always had that secure job, or I was traveling around the world, or I was training for that marathon, but as for right now, I don't. And right now, I'm going to choose not to feel guilty about it.

With that said, do I feel like humans function better when they live a life with purpose and productivity? Absolutely. I don't think life should be wasted away, doing nothing, and not living for anything. What's the point in that? But I don't think that a JOB is the only way to live your life with purpose or productivity. Does that make sense? So for now, I will not just jump back into a corporate job that makes me want to gouge my eyes out. I also will not just lay in bed every day, doing nothing with my life. But I will take a little time to continue brainstorming and thinking about things that will truly make me excited and happy again.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Okay, maybe "hate" is too strong of a word to describe my feelings on this matter. But I must say, that as of lately, I've been quite uncomfortable using the word, "Boyfriend."

"I live with my BOYfriend.""My BOYfriend and I traveled the world for 6 months.""My BOYfriend just turned 32...""My BOYfriend and I moved up here from San Diego.""I love my BOYfriend."
Eeeeeeeh....I'd rather not.

Here's the thing.

"Boyfriend" is the term I used when I was 16 and dated this guy for 2 months. Then, in college, I had another "boyfriend" or two, one for a few months, another for a year, maybe. Even after college, in my early 20's: "Boyfriend" seemed appropriate for the relationships I was in.

Point is: Someone can be your boyfriend whether you've been with them for 3 weeks or 3 years. But to the person that hears the word (or at least to my ears), it can sometimes sound insignificant. Now that I'm 27 (and 4 months), and my...boyfriend (cringe) is 32, I feel, almost, too... old to use that word.

Does that make sense at all?

I was at Planned Parenthood the other day picking up my birth control (because I have NO JOB and it's FREE, don't judge me), and the doctor looked at my chart, saw my age, then asked me if I was PLANNING TO HAVE CHILDREN SOON. <---?!?!?! Say whaaat??? Never have I been asked such a question! So I asked her if 4 years was "soon" and she responded with, "Well, yeah, sort of."
I just...I can't even go there right now. I don't know what this point necessarily has to do with my blog post, but it just made me feel....aged. Like, I'm at the age where apparently I can start to plan for my future children, but yet, I still have a...BOYfriend.

Anyway. I just feel like there needs to be a more significant word to describe the "mature-I'm-in-my-late-20's" relationship I have with The Dizzle. He's not just my "boyfriend."
To me, he's much more than that.

But if I try to use a different term, it doesn't sit well either.

"Life Partner" makes me sound like I'm either a lesbian or someone who's not for the idea of marriage. And well, I'm neither of those.

"Guy I'm seeing" sounds like we just get drunk, hook up, and call it a day. Though, some days it may be two out of those three, I would like to think our relationship is more than that. (TMI?)

"Guy I'm dating" sounds like it's in the early stages and we have yet to "label" our relationship.

"Man Friend" = "Man Whore".

"Domestic Partner" <--- I think of my Mom, who is almost 60, and living with her man for almost 10 years.

Should I just stop rambling now?
I'm probably making zero sense and have left you all to stare at your computer screens in a confused stupor.

Anyway, I don't know why we humans have to label everything, but we do. And now I'm in a relationship where the world has labeled it a term that I do not particularly like. Perhaps going forward, I shall just refer to The Dizzle as "My Live-in Sex Partner That I Happen to Be Madly In Love With".

.... because THAT wouldn't be awkward.

xoxo

P.S. Thank you to Britney Spears for providing such great facial expressions to help elaborate my feelings in today's post.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Regardless, it should be shared because everytime I think about it, I still burst out laughing.

So, anyway, this past Friday night, The Dizzle and I were laying in bed, doing our usual random internet perusing. And we came across my birthday post to him and were looking at this photo.

I was telling him how impressed I was that he could actually do that.

Then he says, "You know, I also did the high jump too."
And I was like, wait, what, you did??? Like where you run a little then fling your body over this bar?

And he said, "Yep. I could clear 6 feet 4 inches."

Again. Impressed.

So impressed that I then insisted, "You must show me how this was done right now! Pretend there's a bar over the bed. Start in the kitchen and run to the bed!"
It should be known that at this point, several glasses of wine had been had. Though, I can't guarantee this stupid mistake would not have happened dead sober either.
So anyway. V Dizzle hauls his butt out of bed and into the kitchen. But then a little bit of his newfound 32-year-old wisdom pops into his head and he says, "I'll probably break the bed." So instead, he just shows me in slow-mo how he would run to the bar, then fling his body over the bar, while gently landing on our bed.

But this was not good enough for dear Michelle. Oh no, I wanted the real thing, front and center!

So I said, "No, do it for real! Run like you really ran! Jump like you really jumped!"
And so then he does. All 215 pounds of him.

And what came next was the loudest C R A C K of all!

Because V Dizzle broke the bed. Right in half!

After about 3 seconds of silence, I howled with laughter and fell to the floor! I can only imagine what our neighbors thought.

So, in our drunken stupor, we came up with the perfect plan to mend the situation: Paint cans.

And now, on this Monday morning, those paint cans are still there, providing us a semi-stable bed.

Good ol' Ikea beds for $199.
Good ol' Friday nights that involve high-jumps on the bed.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Once upon a time, 32 years ago today, a little boy was born.
This little boy, in all his 1/2 Black, 1/2 Dutch cuteness, was the last addition of three in the Dixon Family.
He had the curliest of all curls and the dimpliest of all dimples.

His name was V Dizzle.
V Dizzle the Third, to be exact.

This little boy quickly grew to be quite the young man.
He was tall! He was athletic!
He even did that track sport where you run and jump over objects!
(He's the skinny one in the middle, in case you couldn't tell.)

This young man, from Northern California, always had a heart of gold.
He loved his family dearly.
He loved his hair just as dearly.

But let's fast forward to the good part (ahem, to when he met me).

Though his Justin Guarini curls left him, his heart of gold did not.

This beautiful man came into my life July 3rd, 2011.

And would it be too cheesy to say that since that day, my life was forever changed for the better?

(Nah, not too cheesy for a birthday post!)

He was a bald-headed beauty that left me feeling all giddy inside!
(It's hard to tell with my glazed-over beer goggles, but I was giddy. Trust.)

In these past 2 years, 4 months, and 11 days (but who's counting?), I have been blessed to get to know this man and all of the goodness that he is.

He is motivational.
He is inspiring.
He is patient and supportive.
He is the yin to my yang.
He is smart.
He is spiritual, positive, and loving.
He is kind.
He is funny.
He is comforting.
And he is dead. sexy.

Verner is someone who stops to smell the roses.
Sometimes literally.

He's also very good at karaoke, and well, knowing me, what more could I ask for?

He's a hit with the kids. Particularly of the Korean descent.

He finds humor in the small things.
And frankly, I don't think I could be with someone that didn't find this book humorous.

This man here? He's a good one. He's a rare one.
And I'm just so gosh darn proud of him.

Happy birthday, sweetheart.
You are 32 years young!
Every day with you is an adventure.
Whether we spend it lounging in bed with popcorn and movies, finding a new hiking trail, or traveling to a new country, I enjoy each and every minute.
You are an amazing person and I couldn't be happier.
I am so excited to see what's to come because I know you are meant to continue to do amazing things with your life and I'm just thankful that I get to go along for the ride.